[ShikaIno moments are in this chapter~]

Double Update, because it's nearly Christmas!

Think of it as a Christmas present~! ;D

ミ コ ト • Mikoto

Chapter 10: Love Mission!

Previously:

Her hands started to tremble, but she continued to clutch onto the accessory. "Naruto…Arigato…!"

"I believe Uchiha Sasuke has developed feelings for you." said Neji, rather calmly.

"I…I should be happy for t-them…I should root the two on. I-I'm really happy for them…but why? W-Why can't I s-stop my tears?"

"Yosh! Then let's start dating!" Naruto hugged Hinata.

"THE NEXT TIME SHIKAMARU IS DUE TO SUNAGAKURE FOR A MISSION, I'M GOING TO FOLLOW HIM!"

"Has anyone noticed that in nearly every sentence so far, we've added the word 'point' in it?" Shino adjusted his glasses, smartly.

"Sixteen." mumbled Shino.

Neji rolled his eyes. "You're still counting?"

•

Three months had passed since they had all started dating each other. Sasuke and Sakura; Naruto and Hinata.

The wind blew the leaves into the sky, and Hinata tucked her hair behind her ear. "Sorry, what did you just say?"

Naruto clenched his fists, they were trembling. "I…I'm sorry, Hinata…"

"All of it…all of it wasn't good enough, right?" she whispered.

"I'm really sorry, Hinata. I just…can't forget about her." He looked at her, with apologetic eyes.

"Don't apologize. I already knew I wasn't good enough for you, Naruto-Kun…" Hinata hung her head low.

"No, it's not like that…Hinata, listen-"

"W-We can still be friends, right?" she quickly interrupted.

Naruto smiled at her. "Of course."

•

"WHAT?! YOU TWO BROKE UP?!" Tenten yelled at the top of her voice.

"Q-Quiet down, Tenten-San…" hushed Hinata.

"What's the point, when the whole village already knows?!"

"Ahaha…"

"Are you okay with this, Hinata?" asked Sakura.

Hinata smiled. "Of course. I have to accept it, even if I wasn't."

"Must be hard for you…" Sakura gave a worried look. But for some reason…I feel happy that the two weren't perfect for each other…

"Come to think of it, where's Ino-San?" Hinata changed the subject.

"After months of stalking her boyfriend, he was finally sent to Sunagakure, and well, you know, she followed him there, just like she said she would." explained Tenten.

"Oh, I see…"

•

In Sunagakure…

That looks rather suspicious! Ino had a scarf over her mouth, sunglasses to cover her eyes, and a big hat to hide her hair. That Temari girl just gave him something, and smiled!

She scanned the area.

Some random Sand villagers walked pass her, staring. "Isn't she hot in all those weird get ups…?"

What's this?! She just pointed to a direction, and Shikamaru nodded! She gasped. They're changing places! I must follow!

Ino scurried after them.

Before she knew it, her boyfriend and the Sand Kunoichi were sitting opposite each other, drinking tea and eating Dango! "What?! Are they on some sort of date now? Hey, hey, what happened to the mission?!"

I knew it, so he IS cheating on me! Shikamaru, you player…I thought I trusted you! Ino scowled.

After around twenty minutes of what seemed like friendly talk, Shikamaru took a box out, and handed it to Temari. She gladly accepted it.

Now, a gift for her?! Let me guess, a proposal ring is in there…wait, but that box is too big for a ring…maybe some make up as well? She sure needs it! Hmph, no one can top my looks!

He then stood up, and strolled over to the counter. It seemed he was paying for both of them. Not only that, the shop keep gave him a bag, and he held onto it.

Hmm…what's in that bag? Ino got curious.

After he handed the money, he went back to his seat, and placed the bag on the floor, next to his chair.

Five more minutes passed, and Shikamaru excused himself from his seat. He then walked towards the bathroom door.

Ino scribbled in her notebook. "Shika's going to the bathroom now…should I follow him? Wait, of course not! I can't just casually walk into the Men's room!" She kept her eyes on Temari. "I guess I'll just stay here, and keep an eye on his new 'girlfriend'. I don't get it, what's so great about her anyways?!"

Suddenly, someone slammed both of their palms against the wall, next to Ino's head.

She flinched. Who-?! She nervously turned to face the stranger.

•

"…And this is the rest of the documents your Hokage ordered." The Sand Kunoichi handed the files and scrolls to the pineapple head.

Shikamaru smiled. "Thanks."

"No problem."

Shikamaru's eyes shifted from place to place, as if he were searching for something. Or someone. Recently I keep having the feeling that someone is watching me all the time…how strange.

"Shikamaru, since you're only here for today, did you want to check out that tea shop I told you about, last time?" Temari pointed to a direction.

He nodded. "Sure." And with that, they started walking off. Whoever or whatever's following me…I'll find out for sure. I know it's not just a hunch.

Moments later, they had appeared at the tea store, and sat at a table.

"It's weird that they assigned me such an easy mission, though." said Shikamaru.

"Yeah, that's what I was thinking too. They could've sent a messenger bird or even some Genins." replied Temari.

Shikamaru shrugged. "Well, I wouldn't know."

After around twenty minutes of what seemed like friendly talk, grabbed a box, and gave it to the girl opposite him.

"Oh? What's this?" blinked Temari.

"I just remembered that this is a gift for the Kazekage, from Konoha." replied Shikamaru.

"Ah, I see. I'll deliver it to Gaara-Sama, the next time he's free. He gives his thanks." Temari gladly accepted it.

It seemed five more minutes passed, and Shikamaru excused himself from his seat. He then walked towards the bathroom door. After he closed the door behind him, he used a Teleportation Jutsu.

He smirked. I knew it… Silently, he made his way over to the person behind the wall, and slammed his palms against it, next to the stalker's head.

She seemed to in surprise, and slowly turned around.

Even with that ridiculous outfit, I can still tell it's you. Shikamaru leaned closer. "Now…what brings you here, to Sunagakure, my dear girlfriend, Ino?"

•

Crap! I can't believe he caught me! "Uh…um…EX-girlfriend, mind you!"

Shikamaru blinked. "Ex-girlfriend?" he repeated.

"Yes! You can't hide it, Shikamaru! I know you've been cheating on me in secret!"

"Hah? Cheating on you? Is that why you've been stalking me?"

She gulped. Right on the mark. "N-No! Stalking?! Please, I w-would never stoop so low!"

"You're stuttering. I know you're lying." grinned Shikamaru. You just keep getting more and more interesting, Ino.

"Hmph! I just so happened to have been sent on a mission too!" she made excuses.

"Right, of course you did." He held up the bag that she saw him receive from the counter. "Here, this is for you. Now go back home."

"What?! No, I'm on a mission too! And, oh, thank you." She gratefully took the bag out of his hands.

Shikamaru smiled, and pecked her on the cheek. "When we get back to Konoha, you've got a lot of explaining to do."

And with that, he walked back into the tea store.

Temari glanced at him, confused. "Eh? Shikamaru, how'd you come in this way, if you went that way…?"

•

"Wow. I can't believe you did that." replied Sasuke, sounding rather bored.

"Yeah…I feel kind of guilty about it, but there's no point to carry on a relationship with only one person loving, right?

"Point taken."

"We've said the word 'point' two times now." pointed out Naruto.

"God, not this old joke again. Just drop it, would you?" scowled Sasuke.

The two were having a man to man talk on a rooftop that overlooked the village.

"So, what now?" questioned the Uchiha.

"I don't know. I like Sakura-Chan a lot, and my feelings for her haven't faded away a bit. But she's still dating you, and she really likes you as well." Naruto sighed, as he leaned on the railing. "I don't know what to do…"

"Sweep her away from me then." said Sasuke.

"What?" Naruto looked at his teammate.

"I said, sweep Sakura away from me." Sasuke returned a look.

"Is that okay?! I mean- dude, she's your freakin' girlfriend!"

"Well, I'm cool with it."

"Huh? How come?" blinked Naruto.

"…To be honest, I'm tired of her." was the reply.

"T-Tired of her?! How can you be tired of Sakura-Chan?! And when?!" Naruto shook his shoulders.

"Because I'm me. And after the third date, which was like, a month and a half ago."

"Then why didn't you break up with her?!"

"She still digs me."

"AND THAT'S THE ONLY REASON?!" shouted Naruto.

"You'd do the same if you were me, I bet." muttered Sasuke.

"Sasuke, I can't believe you, man! You should just break it off with her, before she falls deeper!"

He shrugged. "I suppose."

"You suppose?!"

"Aren't you just telling me to break up with her, so you can get with her?"

Bulls-eye. "What?! Of course not! This is advice from a friend!"

"Sure, sure." Sasuke yawned.

"Geez…you get bored of things way too easily." glared Naruto.

"There's one thing I haven't tired of yet."

"Wow, that's amazing. And what would that be?"

"Her." He pointed at a girl walking the streets of Konoha, window shopping. Beautiful pale lavender eyes, dark silky black hair, snow white skin. The Hyuuga Heiress.

"NANI?! If you were interested in Hinata since the beginning, why didn't you tell me?!" Naruto raised his voice once again.

"What good will that have been? Nothing would've changed."

"…" He's right…

Sasuke smirked. "But, since you stopped seeing her, I think it's my turn to step in."

"Huh?! But I just broke her heart! Do you think she can even risk dating another guy?!"

"Of course she can. She's strong."

"Eh…you're such a sadist, Sasuke."

"Why thank you. You're such an idiot."

"Tch…!"

"Yeah, so while I'm busy not giving any attention to Sakura, why don't you try and win her heart?"

"…I don't know if that's even possible for me."

"Really? She seemed pretty happy that you and Hinata broke up."

"Was she?!" Naruto's eyes had filled with hope.

"Yep."

"Yosh! Thanks Sasuke! You're a great guy!"

"I know I am, now leave me alone, and don't consult to me about your love life again, because someone like me doesn't want to hear a loser's depressing talk." lectured Sasuke.

"Right, right, I got it!" Naruto jumped from the balcony. "See ya!"

"That guy has way too much energy…"

•

Ino groaned. "…Yeah, and that's what happened."

"So, he caught you in the end! Haha, that's what you get~!" Tenten added more salt to the wound.

"Whatever…"

"Well, look on the bright side, he pecked you, AND bought a gift from Sunagakure just for you!" said Sakura.

"I suppose you're right…" Ino opened the bag he gave her. "It's a pretty nice and thoughtful gift…"

Inside were tea leaves and Dango, only limited edition, and specially made in Sunagakure. There were also special tea herbs and tips for beauty and skin care.

Tenten whistled. "I'm impressed. Shikamaru really knows his girl well."

Ino blushed. "S-Shut up…"

"Heheh!" laughed Sakura. "Anyhow, where's Hinata?"

"She said that she's busy running Hyuuga errands." answered Tenten.

"Oh, is that so…?"

Something caught Ino's eye. "Hm? That's a pretty hair pin, Sakura. Where'd you get it from?"

Sakura touched the cherry blossom hair pin in her hair. "Oh, this? It's…a gift from Naruto…" her cheeks were tinged with blush.

"Sakura, that's no good!" said Ino.

"Eh? Nani?"

"You treasure a gift from another man! People will start to think that you're in love with Sasuke AND Naruto, but you're in a relationship with one!" explained Ino. She waved her finger in front of Sakura. "It's like two-timing~"

"H-Hah?! How is it like two-timing?!"

"Ino's right on this, Sakura. If you're dating one guy, you shouldn't show any interest in another, especially his friend. Otherwise you'll look like a complete flirt." agreed Tenten.

She sighed. "Then what am I supposed to do…?"

"Well, who do you like more?"

"I-I…don't know." She dropped her head.

"Sheesh! One day, you'll have to make a choice." muttered Tenten.

"I know…"

"No, you don't, that's why we're telling you." replied the both of them.

"Ugh…whatever!" Sakura threw pillows at them.

"Oh? A pillow fight now?! Bring it on!"

•

Hinata had finally finished all of the Hyuuga errands for today. She sat down on a stone bench, and closed her eyes, as she felt the light breeze of wind gently whip her long hair.

"Hinata."

She slowly opened her eyes, to see Uchiha Sasuke sitting next to her. "Ah, Sasuke-Kun. What brings you here?"

"I heard you and Naruto broke up."

"Oh…yes, that's true."

"I'm sorry to hear that." He replied.

"No, it's fine…" Hinata looked up at the sky.

"…Normally when you're sad you look down. But this time, you're looking up. Why is that?" he asked.

"I-I'm not sad!"

"Oh…I know why. You look up instead of down now, because it's to stop your tears from spilling, right?"

"Ah-Uh…Hai…"

He chuckled. "Everyone knows that you've crushed on Naruto since you were small."

She blushed.

Sasuke smiled at her. Yes, THE Uchiha just smiled. "Hinata, you're cute when you blush."

"N-Nani?!" she couldn't help but blush harder at the compliment.

Ah…I was just speaking my thoughts…oh well. "I like you."

Those words seemed to echo in Hinata's head for what felt like millions of years. A strong wind blew, leaving a shocked Hinata paralyzed there.

After moments passed, Hinata finally snapped out of it. "D-Demo…you and Sakura-San…"

"I'm tired of Sakura. Besides, Naruto's aiming for her now." He answered, bluntly.

"!"

Sasuke looked at Hinata in the eye, seriously. "Hinata, be my girlfriend."

Hinata was even more shocked then before. Hottest and most popular guy in Konoha, Uchiha Sasuke, just asked her out.

"U-Um…Matte…"

Sasuke moved closer to her, and he held a lock of her hair. He moved it to his lips, and looked into her lavender eyes. "Hyuuga Hinata, I will make you fall in love with me."

-End of Chapter 10-

Japanese Translations:

Nani-What

Yosh-Yes (Informal)

Sunagakure-Sand Village

Hai-Yes

Demo-But

Konoha-Leave Village for short (Konoha literally translates as leaf)

Matte-Wait

•

Oh my, things have certainly gotten interesting, haven't they? Sasuke really does sound like a player now xD

ミ コ ト • Mikoto

•

See that little button down there that says 'Review'? Much appreciated if you click it! ^_^